How Technology Changes the Way We Work

Thirty years ago, a job seeker would dress nicely and hit the streets with newspaper in hand to visit potential employers. Since that time, the job search has changed. Now, it’s possible to perform the initial steps of the process on the computer, and the days of going from place to place are over.

Technology and the Job Search

With the rise of the internet, gathering applications is done electronically rather than in person. Most employers now have online applications that can be accessed from anywhere in the world, making it possible to look for a job in a distant city. Those without basic computer skills, even if the job is of a more manual nature, are at a disadvantage from the beginning and must gain these basic skills and access to technology before they can even apply.

Technology and Development

With the constant changes in technology, employees are tasked with keeping track of their industry via the internet and must constantly improve their skills to keep pace with the trends in a world-wide market. Everything from initial training to later development is done through online or computer-based training.

It’s even possible to gain advanced degrees almost completely online, which allows individuals to improve their knowledge and skills base without having to travel. The latest thinking in a wide variety of fields is now available through videos, online courses and blogs. Most of these can be accessed with a mobile phone or computer, making it possible for employees to continually improve their skills.

Technology and Networking

Technological advances have made it possible for companies to network across vast distances without the need to bring employees together in one location. With 4G LTE networks and various apps, it’s possible to connect offices in different locations with little more than a mobile phone, which makes it possible to implement projects and changes to create a more cohesive company culture. Training that used to require days away from the office or expensive retreats to a central location can now be accomplished with an online course accessible from anywhere in the world.

Technology and Changing Roles

Technology has not only changed the way we look for jobs, hire employees, and improve skills; it has also changed the nature of work. According to an article on Career Research, “Technology is considered to be one of the most widely recognized forces affecting work and how it is changing. [It has] brought the world to the verge of a transformation similar to an industrial revolution.” Jobs which used to require commuting to an office can now be done from any location.

The nature of work, even manual labor, is undergoing a change due to the ever-advancing world of technology. Paper and pen are becoming obsolete, and technology is the tool of choice. Networking via the internet and various apps is no longer a novelty for fun but a requirement of most jobs, and continued education is less a luxury and more a necessity for career survival.